Method and apparatus for supporting items

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for supporting items and providing and assembling the apparatus for supporting items. In one form, the apparatus includes first and second support members with a line extending therebetween and the line being adapted to support items. The apparatus may also include a tension adjusting mechanism having a sleeve with first and second portions wherein rotation of the sleeve adjusts tension in the line.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/587,527, filed Jul. 13, 2004, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for supporting items and more particularly concerns a method and apparatus for assembling and adjusting tension in a clothesline.

Clotheslines have been used for years to support items such as clothes, sheets, blankets, rugs and the like. Traditionally these lines are suspended between two fixed supports, such as walls or posts, leaving an expanse of line upon which items may be draped to dry.

One shortcoming with traditional clotheslines, however, is that the line tends to slack or sag when weighted down with items. Over the years, several attempts have been made to cure this problem. For example, some clotheslines have been supplied with winches for taking up the slack in the line as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,321 issued Aug. 15, 2000 to Clary, U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,823 issued Jun. 6, 2000 to Clary, U.S. Pat. No. 1,469,112 issued Sep. 25, 1923 to Schoonover, U.S. Pat. No. 1,386,918 issued Aug. 9, 1921 to Westrup et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 361,745 issued Apr. 26, 1887 to Boyd. Unfortunately, these items are often bulky and difficult to operate when the line is weighted down with hanging items.

Other shortcomings with existing clotheslines is that there are no kits available for readily assembling a sturdy clothesline or anchors for allowing clotheslines to be easily setup and removed.

Accordingly, it has been determined that the need exists for an improved method and apparatus for supporting items which overcomes the aforementioned limitations and which further provides capabilities, features and functions, not available in current apparatus, and for an improved method for doing the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for supporting items in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the supports shown in a parallel configuration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an end of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the fastener, tension adjusting mechanism, line, restraint and pulleys as assembled on the supports;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the other end of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the tension adjusting mechanism and line exploded from one another and exploded from the fastener and pulley;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the second support of FIG. 1 with the second member removed for purposes of illustrating one of the mating structures thereof;

FIGS. 6A-B are side elevational and perspective views, respectively, of one of the supports of FIG. 1 illustrating another mating structure which may be used in addition to or in place of the mating structures of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mating structure of FIGS. 6A-B illustrated with fasteners exploded therefrom;

FIGS. 8A-B are perspective and side elevational views, respectively, of an anchor which may be used in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An apparatus for supporting items is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and referred to generally by reference numeral 20. The apparatus 20 includes a line, such as clothesline 22, which is suspended between two supports 24 and 26 to provide an expanse of line from which items may be hung or draped. The line has first and second ends 22 a and 22 b, respectively, that are connected to the supports 24 and 26 via tension adjusting mechanisms, such as turnbuckles 28 and 30, which allow an operator to adjust the tension of the clothesline 22 to remove slack in the line and/or reduce the amount of sag that occurs when items are hung or draped over the line. In one form the clothesline 22 is fed through a plurality of pulleys 32 a-f provided along the supports 24 and 26 to increase the number of times the clothesline 22 extends between the supports 24 and 26 and increase the surface area of the clothesline from which items may be supported.

In the form illustrated, the supports 24 and 26 have first members 24 a and 26 a which extend in a generally vertical direction and second members 24 b and 26 b which extend in a generally horizontal direction. The first and second members 24 a-b of support 24 have mating structures, such as notches 24 c-d, which align the first and second members 24 a-b with respect to one another and form a joint therebetween. The first and second members 24 a-b may also be secured to one another at this joint via a fastener, such as bolt 38. The second support 26 has similar mating structures 26 c-d and a similar bolt 40. In the form illustrated the bolts 38 and 40 are galvanized to withstand exposure to the environment and the supports 24 and 26 are made of wood, such as treated pine. In a preferred embodiment, the first members 24 a and 26 a are eight foot posts made from 4″×4″ pieces of wood and the second members 24 b and 26 b are five foot cross members made from 4″×4″ pieces of wood. In alternate embodiments, the first members 24 a and 26 a may be eight foot posts made from 6″×6″ pieces of wood with the second members 24 b and 26 b continuing to be made from 4″×4″ pieces of wood. In yet other forms, the supports 24 and 26 may be made of other materials besides wood, such as metal.

In yet other embodiments, the first and second members 24 a-b and 26 a-b may be connected using a plurality of bolts rather than one center bolt in order to strengthen the joint made therebetween. Alternatively, the joints formed by the first and second members 24 a-b and 26 a-b may take the form or shape of other types of mating members such as dovetail or tenon and mortice joints, or the like.

In FIG. 2, additional fasteners, such as eye bolts 42 and 44 are connected to the distal ends on the first cross member 24 and provide a structure, such as an eyelet, to which the turnbuckles 28 and 30 may be connected. A plurality of pulleys 32 a-f are situated on the inner side surfaces of the first and second cross members 24 and 26, with four pulleys, 32 a-b and 32 e-f, being connected to the inner side surface of second cross member 26 and two pulleys, 32 c-d, being connected to the inner side surface of the first cross member 24. The corners and ends of the first and second members 24 a-b and 26 a-b may also be beveled in order to remove sharp edges if desired. In a preferred form, the pulleys 32 a-f and bolts 38, 40, 42 and 44 are galvanized to minimize the effect weather has on these components.

During assembly of the apparatus 20, the line 22 is fed through the pulleys 32 a-f as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and the line ends 22 a-b are connected to the turnbuckles 28 and 30. In the embodiment shown, line 22 is a braided stainless steal wire coated with a plastic or rubber coating to protect the wire from ware and environmental exposure. The wire preferably has a ⅛″ diameter and is coated by a ⅛″ thick coating of plastic, thereby giving the line a ¼″ outer diameter. The ends of the line 22 a and 22 b are looped for engaging fasteners extending from the turnbuckles 28 and 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the loops may be formed by feeding the line ends 22 a-b through retainers, such as aluminum compression clamps 32 and 34, bending the line and inserting the ends 22 a-b back through the retainers 32 and 34. Alternatively, the retainers 32 and 34 may be collars that are crimped or swedged in order to secure the line ends 22 a-b. In a preferred form, however, the tension of the clothesline 22 will prevent the ends 22 a-b from sliding out of the retainers 32 and 34 with or without crimping.

In the embodiment illustrated, the line 22 is provided in a twenty foot length which can be adjusted by sliding more or less of the line 22 through the restraints 34 and 36 until the desired line length is reached. In a preferred form, the second members 24 b and 26 b are arranged parallel to one another as illustrated in FIG. 2. It should be understood, however, that the sizes and dimensions provided herein are merely exemplary of a preferred embodiment and, thus, may be changed or varied to accommodate different applications.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the first turnbuckle 28 includes a sleeve 28 a having first and second ends, which define threaded openings through which bolts may be thread. The turnbuckle 28 also has first and second fasteners, such as hook bolts 28 b and 28 c, which are each thread into separate openings defined by the sleeve ends. In the form shown, one sleeve opening and fastener are right-hand threaded and the other sleeve opening and fastener are left-hand threaded, (e.g., reverse threaded), so that rotation of the sleeve 28 a in one direction causes the fasteners 28 b-c to move toward one another and adds tension in line 22 while rotation of the sleeve 28 a in the opposite direction causes the fasteners 28 b-c to move away from one another and reduces the amount of tension in line 22.

In alternate embodiments, at least one of the fasteners 28 b-c may be fixed to the sleeve 28 a such that the sleeve can still rotate with respect to the fastener, but the fastener cannot be removed from the sleeve 28 a. For example, in one form, one of the fasteners may be loosely riveted to the sleeve 28 a so that it can rotate with respect to the sleeve but not removed from the sleeve. In this configuration, the sleeve opening through which the rivet is disposed does not need to be threaded and allows the turnbuckle to be connected to a fixed object but rotated with respect thereto. In yet other embodiments, at least one of the fasteners 28 b-c may have other types of structures besides a hook for connecting to either the eyelet of eye bolt 42 or 44 or the loop ends 22 a-b of clothesline 22. For example, the fastener may have a ring or loop end, a shackle end, or the like, for fastening the turnbuckle 28 to the apparatus 20.

In FIGS. 1-2, the first fastener 28 b is connected to the eyelet of eye bolt 42 and the second fastener 28 c is connected to the loop end 22 a of clothesline 22. Thus, when an operator rotates the sleeve 28 a of turnbuckle 28 in one direction, the fasteners 28 b-c approach one another and increase the tension in line 22. Conversely, when the operator rotates the sleeve 28 a in the opposite direction, the fasteners 28 b-c move apart from one another and reduce the tension in line 22. By allowing the operator to adjust the tension of the line 22, the apparatus 20 can prevent the line from sagging or drooping when items are hung or draped from the line 22.

The second turnbuckle 30 has a configuration similar, if not identical, to the first turnbuckle 28. For example, the second turnbuckle 30 includes a sleeve 30 a having first and second ends, which define threaded openings through which bolts may be thread. The turnbuckle 30 also has first and second fasteners, such as hook bolts 30 b and 30 c, which are each thread into separate openings defined by the sleeve ends. Like the first turnbuckle 28, one sleeve opening and fastener of the second turnbuckle 30 are right-hand threaded while the other sleeve opening and fastener are left-hand threaded. This allows the rotation of the sleeve 30 a in one direction to cause the fasteners 30 b-c to move toward one another and add tension in line 22, or rotation of the sleeve 30 a in the opposite direction to cause the fasteners 30 b-c to move away from one another and reduce the amount of tension in line 22. The second turnbuckle 30 may also be provided in any of the alternate embodiments discussed above with respect to the first turnbuckle 28.

In FIGS. 1-2, the first fastener 30 b of turnbuckle 30 is connected to the eyelet of eye bolt 44 and the second fastener 30 c is connected to the loop end 22 b of clothesline 22. Thus, when an operator rotates the sleeve 30 a of turnbuckle 30 in one direction, the fasteners 30 b-c approach one another and increase the tension in line 22. Conversely, when the operator rotates the sleeve 30 a in the opposite direction, the fasteners 30 b-c move apart from one another and reduce the tension in line 22. This configuration allows the operator to adjust the tension of the line 22 from either of the turnbuckles 28 or 30 to prevent the line from sagging or drooping when items are hung or draped from the line 22.

In FIG. 5, a partial perspective view of the first member 26 a of second support 26 is shown. In this embodiment, the first member 26 a of support 26 has a mating structure, such as notch 26 c, which mates with a corresponding mating structure on the second member 26 b of support 26, such as corresponding notch 26 d. The interlocking mating structures of the of the first and second members 26 a-b allow the members to be aligned and interconnected to strengthen the stability of the support 26, which also helps prevent sagging or drooping of the clothesline 22. This configuration also allows the first and second members 26 a-b to be aligned and assembled more easily and to be connected to one another using a single fastener, such as carriage bolt 40. As mentioned above, however, in alternate embodiments a plurality of fasteners may be used to fasten the first and second members 26 a-b together. Although not specifically shown in the drawings, the first and second members 24 a-b of first support 24 have similar mating structures as that which interconnect the members 26 a-b so that they may be fastened together via bolt 38.

FIGS. 6A-B and 7 illustrate other mating structures, such as angle brackets 48, which may be used in addition to or in place of the notch mating structures discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. The brackets or supports 48 will preferably be positioned adjacent the first member 24 a (or 26 a) and second member 24 b (or 26 b), just below the second member 24 b (or 26 b) and on opposite sides of the first member 24 a (or 26 a). In the form illustrated, the brackets 48 are connected to the first and second members 24 a-b (or 26 a-b) via fasteners, such as screws 48 b or nails, and help support the horizontal second member 24 b (or 26 b) to prevent it from wobbling or moving with respect to the vertical first member 24 a (or 26 a). This configuration also helps keep the support members 24 and 26 stationary even when large items are hung from or draped over the clothesline 22.

The present invention may also include an anchor to secure the support members 24 and 26 to the ground and to provide for a generally upright and secure apparatus. In one example, the anchoring may be accomplished by inserting the first members 24 a and 26 a into a post hole in the ground and filling the post hole with a desired amount of concrete. In a preferred form, the posts will be inserted between 4″-10″ into the ground in order to ensure that the post will not move when items are hung on or draped over line 22.

In yet another embodiment, an anchor, such as a boot or sleeve, will be cemented into the post hole and provide an opening large enough for receiving an end of the support 24 or 26. Again, the post will preferably be inserted between 4″-10″ into the sleeve in order to securely anchor the post into the ground. With these configurations, the apparatus 20 may be assembled and disassembled by simply inserting and removing, respectively, the supports 24 and 26 from the cement post holes or boots as desired. For example, an operator can erect the apparatus for supporting items by inserting the supports 24 and 26 into the boot in order to drape or hang items over line 22. Once the operator is through using the apparatus 20, he or she may simply remove the supports 24 and 26 from the boot and store the apparatus 20 away until a need for the apparatus arises again.

In still other embodiments, the apparatus may be provided with a non-permanent anchor, such as stake 18, which may be installed and removed along with the apparatus 20. For example, in FIGS. 8A-B, anchoring stake 18 may be staked into the ground in order to anchor one of the support members 24 or 26 into position. A second anchoring stake may then be used to anchor the other support into position. The operator may then remove the supports 24 and 26 from the anchoring stakes 18 and remove the stakes 18 in order to store away the entire apparatus 20 when desired.

In the form illustrated, the anchoring stake 18 includes a sleeve portion 18 a which defines a receptacle for receiving an end of the first support member 24 a or 26 a and a post or stake portion 18 c for inserting into the ground and anchoring the anchoring stake 18 into position. In a preferred form, the sleeve 18 a will include an adjustable sleeve having fastening members 18 b, such as bolts or screws, which allow the sleeve to be tightened to and/or loosened from the supports 24 and 26. The adjustable sleeve thereby allows the anchoring stake 18 to be securely connected to and more easily removed from the supports 24 and 26 by allowing for the sleeve 18 a to be tightened to and loosened from the supports 24 and 26, respectively.

Connected to the sleeve 18 a is a lower portion 18 c for anchoring the stake 18 into the ground. In the form illustrated, lower portion 18 c includes a generally pointed base structure, such as a stake or spike, which allows the stake to be easily inserted into and removed from the ground. With this configuration, the apparatus 20 can easily be moved from one location to another and assembled and disassembled as desired. For example, if an operator would like to move the apparatus 20 from one location in his or her yard to another location in his or her yard, the operator may simply loosen the adjustable sleeves 18 a via fasteners 18 b, remove the supports 24 and 26 and reposition the anchoring stakes 18, and then reinsert the supports 24 and 26 into their respective sleeves 18 c. Alternatively, the operator may leave the anchoring stakes 18 connected to the support members 24 and 26 and simply remove the supports 24 and 26 and connected anchoring sleeves 18 from the ground, reposition the supports and sleeves to the desired location and reinsert the anchoring stakes 18 into the ground to anchor the support members 24 and 26 into position.

The removable anchoring stakes 18 also allow the operator to remove the apparatus 20 without leaving any anchors embedded in his or her yard. Thus, the entire apparatus 20 can be removed when desired.

The present invention may also be packaged and sold as a kit, either without some of the components required for assembly, or as a complete system with all of the required components for supporting items. For example, in a kit form the apparatus 20 may be supplied without the supports 24 and 26 and include instructions for purchasing and/or making the required supports. The instructions may include information regarding the preferred lumber and size needed to make the supports, include instructions for notching the wood, and include instruction for assembling the apparatus 20 once the necessary items have been obtained. Alternatively, the apparatus 20 may be provided as a complete system with all the supports, clothesline, and parts and fittings and instructions to assemble the apparatus. However, even in this embodiment, the apparatus may be sold without some supplies needed for assembly, such as tools and cement.

In addition to an apparatus, the invention disclosed herein provides various methods for supporting items, tensioning a line and providing apparatus for supporting items, such as by way of a kit. For example, a method for adjusting tension in a line disclosed herein may include providing a clothesline 22 having first and second ends 22 a-b, with the clothesline extending between at least two supports 24 and 26, and having a sleeve 28 a connected thereto which is rotatable in a first direction wherein tension is added to the clothesline 22 and a second direction wherein tension is removed from the clothesline 22. Thus, tension may be adjusted in the clothesline 22 by rotating the sleeve 28 a in at least one of the first and second directions to adjust tension in the clothesline 22. The method may also include coaxially connecting the sleeve 28 a to the first end 22 a of the clothesline 22 and rotating the sleeve 28 a in the first direction to increase tension in the clothesline 22 or in the second direction to reduce tension in the clothesline 22.

In a preferred method of tensioning a line, the method will include providing a second sleeve 30 a which is coaxially connected to the second end 22 b of the clothesline 22, the second sleeve 30 a being rotatable in a first direction wherein tension is added to the clothesline 22 and a second direction wherein tension is removed from the clothesline 22. Thus, the tension of the clothesline 22 may alternatively be adjusted by rotating the second sleeve 30 a in the first direction to increase tension in the clothesline 22 or in the second direction to reduce tension in the clothesline 22.

A method of providing an apparatus for supporting items is also disclosed herein. For example, a method in accordance with the invention may include providing a kit comprising supports and a line, and instructions for assembling the supports and line to support items. The method may further include providing a tensioning mechanism for adjusting the tension of the line 22 in order to reduce sagging or drooping of the line when items are suspended therefrom.

Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a method and apparatus for supporting items and a method and apparatus for tensioning a clothesline that fully satisfies the objects, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus comprising: first and second supports; a line extending between the supports and being adapted to support items therefrom; and a tension adjusting mechanism having a sleeve for adjusting tension in the line.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the line has first and second portions, and the tension adjusting mechanism includes a sleeve with first and second sections, a first fastener connected to one of the first and second sections of the sleeve to fasten the sleeve to a stationary object, and a second fastener connected to the other of said first and second sections, and wherein the sleeve for adjusting tension is rotatable in a first direction to add tension in the line and rotatable in a second direction to reduce tension in the line.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second fastener has a threaded bolt portion and at least one of the first and second sections of the sleeve defines a threaded opening into which the bolt portion of the second fastener is thread.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first and second sections of the sleeve define threaded openings and the first fastener has a threaded bolt portion which is thread into the opening defined by the first section of the sleeve and the second fastener has a threaded bolt portion which is thread into the opening defined by the second section of the sleeve.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the opening of the first section of the sleeve and the threaded bolt portion of the first fastener are reverse threaded with respect to the opening of the second section of the sleeve and the threaded bolt portion of the second fastener so that rotation of the sleeve in the first direction moves the first and second fasteners towards one another to add tension in the line and rotation of the sleeve in the second direction moves the first and second fasteners apart from one another to reduce tension in the line.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a second tension adjusting mechanism having a sleeve with first and second sections, a first fastener connected to one of the first and second sections of the sleeve to fasten the sleeve to a stationary object, and a second fastener connected to the other of said first and second sections to fasten the sleeve to the line, the sleeve being rotatable in a first direction to add tension in the clothesline and rotatable in a second direction to reduce tension in the clothesline.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first support has first and second members, the first member extending at a predetermined angle from the second member and having a mating structure for mating with the second member and the second member extending at a predetermined angle from the first member and having a mating structure for mating with the mating structure of the first member, the first support having a fixture to which the first fastener of the first tension adjusting mechanism is attached to fasten the tension adjusting mechanism and line thereto.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a second support having first and second members, the first member extending at a predetermined angle from the second member and having a mating structure for mating with the second member and the second member extending at a predetermined angle from the first member and having a mating structure for mating with the mating structure of the first member, the second support having a second fixture to which the first fastener of the second tension adjusting mechanism is attached to fasten the clothesline thereto.
 9. An apparatus for supporting items comprising: a line having first and second sections; a first support having first and second members, the first member extending at a predetermined angle from the second member and having a mating structure for mating with the second member and the second member extending at a predetermined angle form the first member and having a mating structure for mating with the mating structure of the first member; and a fastener for fastening the first section of the line to the first support to suspend the line therefrom.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the mating structures are brackets for connecting the first member to the second member.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the mating structures comprise notches in the first and second members which align the first and second member with respect to one another and form a joint therebetween.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a plurality of pulleys connected to the first member of the first and second supports and through which the line is fed to increase the number of times the line extends between the first and second supports and to increase the line surface area upon which items may be supported.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 9 further including an anchor for securing the apparatus to the ground, the anchor including an adjustable sleeve for securing the anchor to the first member.
 14. A method for adjusting tension in a line for supporting items comprising: suspending the line between at least two supports, providing a sleeve connected to the line; and rotating the sleeve to adjust tension in the line.
 15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising: coaxially connecting the sleeve to a first portion of the line; and rotating the sleeve in a first direction to increase tension in the line and in a second direction to reduce tension in the line.
 16. The method according to claim 14 further comprising: providing a second sleeve connected to a second portion of the line; rotating the second sleeve to adjust tension in the line.
 17. A method of providing an apparatus for supporting items comprising: providing a kit including components for assembling an apparatus for supporting items; and providing instructions for assembling the components included in the kit.
 18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the components include at least one of a first support, a second support and a line, with the method further comprising assembling the supports and line in accordance with the instructions provided with the kit.
 19. A kit for assembling an apparatus for supporting items comprising: components for assembling the apparatus for supporting items; and instructions for assembling the components included in the kit.
 20. The kit according to claim 19 wherein the components comprise at least one of a first support, a second support, a line for connecting the supports and being adapted to support items therefrom, and a tension adjusting mechanism having a rotatable sleeve for adjusting tension in the line.
 21. The kit according to claim 19 wherein the components include a first support, a second support, a line for connecting the supports and being adapted to support items therefrom, and a tension adjusting mechanism having a rotatable sleeve for adjusting tension in the line.
 22. The kit according to claim 21 wherein the sleeve is rotatable in a first direction for increasing tension in the line and in a second direction for reducing tension in the line. 